Submarine telecommunication cables are the backbone of global communication, carrying approximately 99% of internet traffic and supporting critical services such as commerce, finance, government operations, digital health, and education. However, these cables are vulnerable to damage, with an estimated 150-200 faults occurring globally every year. Damage is caused by a range of factors including fishing, anchoring, natural hazards, and equipment failure.

To address the growing challenges and ensure the continued resilience of this critical infrastructure, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) have jointly launched the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience. This initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of submarine cables, which are essential to the functioning of the global digital economy.

Advisory Body’s Role and Global Representation

The newly formed International Advisory Body will work towards promoting best practices across governments and industries to improve cable resilience, reduce risks of damage, and ensure the swift repair and deployment of these vital systems. The Advisory Body will also provide strategic guidance to address challenges related to increasing traffic, aging infrastructure, and growing environmental threats to submarine cables.

Comprising 40 members from around the world—including ministers, heads of regulatory authorities, and senior experts in telecommunications—the body reflects a diverse global perspective. Members come from all regions, ensuring that the voices of both small island nations and large economies are represented. The collective experience of the body will help address the needs of those whose livelihoods depend on submarine cables, as well as those responsible for deploying, maintaining, and protecting this critical infrastructure.

Leadership and Meetings

The Advisory Body will be co-chaired by H.E. Minister Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy of Nigeria, and Prof. SandraMaximiano, Chair of the Board of Directors of Portugal’s National Communications Authority (ANACOM).

The body will meet at least twice a year to consult on international policies, telecommunications infrastructure, and best practices for improving resilience. The inaugural virtual meeting is scheduled for 12th December 2024, followed by a physical meeting at the Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, in February 2025.

India’s Role in Submarine Cable Infrastructure

India plays a key role in the global submarine cable network. The country hosts around 17 international subsea cables across 14 distinct landing stations located in Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Tuticorin, and Trivandrum. As of the end of 2022, the total lit capacity and activated capacity of these cables stood at 138.606 Tbps and 111.111 Tbps, respectively.

Indian telecom operators involved in submarine cable infrastructure include:

• Tata Communications, which owns five cable landing stations in Mumbai, Chennai, and Cochin.
• Global Cloud eXchange (formerly Reliance Globalcom), which owns stations in Mumbai and Trivandrum.
• Reliance Jio, with cable landing stations in Chennai and Mumbai and new projects underway.
• Bharti Airtel, operating stations in Chennai and Mumbai, and also landing the 2Africa/EMIC-1 and SEA-ME WE 6 cables.
• Sify Technologies and BSNL, both involved in the operation of various cable landing stations.
• Vodafone and IOX, the latter planning to construct a new cable landing station in Puducherry.

About ICPC

The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), founded in 1958, is a global forum for governments and commercial entities involved in the submarine cable industry. Its primary mission is to enhance the security of undersea cables by providing a platform for exchanging technical, legal, and environmental information.

Background on Submarine Cable Resilience

Submarine cables form the foundation of global communications, linking continents and connecting markets. As of 2024, more than 500 active and planned submarine cable systems are in operation, transmitting vast amounts of data with high efficiency.

These modern cables are designed to transmit vast amounts of data over long distances with high efficiency. The outer protective layer shields against environmental hazards such as deep-sea pressure, corrosion, and marine activity, while the core fibre strands are optimized for high-speed data transmission with minimal signal loss. This infrastructure is indispensable for real-time applications such as financial trading, video conferencing and live streaming.

From design to deployment, a submarine cable can take over two years to become operational. This timeline is influenced by a combination of factors, including securing funding, navigating permitting and regulatory requirements, and addressing environmental and operational requirements.

However, this infrastructure faces increasing challenges due to environmental hazards, aging systems, and complex regulatory environments.

In 2023, over 200 submarine cable repairs were reported globally, highlighting the vulnerabilities of this critical infrastructure. Disruptions to submarine cable systems can have far-reaching consequences, including economic instability, security concerns, and internet access disruptions for millions of people.

ITU’s Contribution to Global Resilience

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as the UN agency for digital technologies, recognizes the vital role submarine cables play in global communications. ITU is at the forefront of efforts to enhance the resilience of these cables, through cooperation, standard-setting, and technical guidance. Through the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience, ITU aims to develop best practices for securing submarine cable infrastructure, addressing issues such as cable maintenance, damage prevention, rapid recovery after disruptions, and the adoption of sustainable industry practices.

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SB/DP/ARJ